A Royal British Legion Club which was ordered to pay a former employee £46,000 plus interest and costs for unfair dismissal in 2010 has closed.
The Legion building on Ashley Road, Boscombe, has been put on the market more than three years after it was ordered to pay the compensation to a former bar steward.
Michelle Hayter, Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution, said her client had taken possession of the property with a ‘heavy heart’. “She gave her life and soul to the club, worked there for many years, was awarded the money and gave them the opportunity to try and pay the award that was decided against them. Unfortunately they couldn’t raise any funds so it got to the stage where really we had to take the property so she could get some of her money back.”
The proceeds of the sale will be used to pay those who have a charge on the property and any remaining money will go back to the club. Insolvency firm the Mark Liddle Partnership had attempted to put together a rescue package that would involve selling the building and leasing it back.
But an attempt to get the necessary 75 per cent of members to back the idea failed when only 30 people turned up to a meeting.
Club Chairman Dennis Gillard said there was still a small chance the club could re-open with a new identity, in which case previous members would be welcome back.